Archived Industry News for Water Professionals
Following meetings in Adelaide over the weekend, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council have agreed to push the starting date to 2019 for all communities in the Murray Darling Basin to adjust to diversion limits.
The agreement will push the agreed date back from the original 2014 timetable and will mean that extraction amounts will not be finalized for another seven years.
The decision by the ministerial council, which is comprised of ministers from the South Australian and New South Wales state governments, has drawn heavy criticism from the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF).
WA Nationals defend use of recycled water
Western Australian Nationals leader Brendon Grylls has defended the state’s decision to pump recycled water into one of Perth’s main water sources, the Gnangara Mound aquifer.
SA Greens push to reject Olympic desalination plant
South Australian Green MP Mark Parnell has announced his opposition to the proposed desalination plant at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam site, saying that its construction would pose a major risk to local marine life.
National Water Commission releases water reform options report
A new report that sets out three reform options to ensure Australia's water sector has been released by the National Water Commission.
Murray Darling Basin Authority needs more funding and less water
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has reported that it will require $38 million in funding this financial year while new research shows that less than 3000 gigalitres will be required for environmental flow.
Research into beach erosion forecasting tool underway
Researchers have begun a project to create the first global tool to forecast how changes in wave patterns and rising sea levels will affect beach erosion.
Victoria releases water roadmap
The Victorian Government has released its first ‘Living Melbourne, Living Victoria’ roadmap for urban water usage and reform.
Coliban Water announces major Echuca sewer upgrade
Coliban Water have announced the commencement of major sewer pump station upgrades to “increase capacity and improve reliability of sewer operations” in the Echuca area.
Tasmania launches Whitmore Irrigation Scheme site
Federal Minister for Primary Industries and Water Bryan Green has launched the first major irrigation site under Tasmania’s $400 million water development strategy.
Queensland offers 'transitional environmental programs' to bale out mines
The Queensland State Government has issued over 73 transitional environmental programs to mining companies to remove substantial amounts of water from their operations and into rivers and waterways.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority pledges to consider findings after delay
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has promised to consider the findings of the Windsor Inquiry after it was announced the findings will be delayed from its original May release date.
Gold Coast pushes for water price capping
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has publically voiced his support for capping water price increases to Consumer Price Index (CPI) levels.
Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in New South Wales - Call for Applications
Call for applications for Round 2
New Managing Director for Sydney Water
The NSW Government has announced that Kevin Young has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Sydney Water replacing Dr Kerry Schott.
Victorian research into ground and surface water
The Victorian Government has announced research currently underway into building “new insights into Victoria's surface water and groundwater resources.”
Inquiry into impact of coal seam gas mining on the Murray Darling Basin
The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee has called for submissions to its inquiry into the impact of mining of coal seam gas on the management of the Murray Darling Basin.
Desalination plants criticised by Productivity Commission
Water restrictions during the drought cost households $1 billion a year, and a similar amount could have been saved if construction of the Sydney desalination plant had been delayed, according to the head of the Productivity Commission's inquiry into water, Wendy Craik.
Call for national approach to flood mapping
Mark Babister of the National Committee on Water Engineering (part of Engineers Australia), has called for a national approach to flood mapping in the wake of the enormous damage to property caused by this years floods across three Australian states.
Murray-Darling Basin draft guide "dead": ACTEW
The head of Canberra's water authority has declared the draft guide for the Murray-Darling Basin "dead".
Water management software released
TechnologyOne has launched OneWater, the first software solution in Australia designed to help water corporations, companies and councils with the complexities of managing water.
Sustainable Population Strategy released
The Federal Government has released the nation's first ever dedicated sustainable population strategy which sets out the framework, backed by new funding for a sustainable Australia.